Tech

Hulu vs. YouTube TV vs. Sling TV vs. DirecTV Stream channels


The live TV streaming panorama is altering by way of pricing and channel lineups, bridging the gap between cable packages. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re somebody who prefers the liberty of contract-free stay streaming apps, there’s hope. These platforms not solely provide a wider vary of channels in comparison with an antenna, but in addition present the comfort of watching on desktops and cell units.

Presently, there are six main streamers within the rotation: YouTube TV, Hulu Plus Live TVSling TVDirecTV StreamFubo and Philo. What really issues is the channels they provide, although, and that is why we have taken the time to sift by means of these providers and compile a listing of those that present the perfect lineups for the fee.

Learn extra: Best Sports Streaming Service for 2023

The Massive Chart: High 100 channels in contrast, up to date December 2023

The principle distinction between the providers is their channel choice. All of them provide completely different lineups of channels for numerous costs. 

Beneath you will discover a chart that exhibits the highest 100 channels throughout all six providers, however be aware that not every service has a worthy 100. There are literally seven listed as a result of Sling TV has two completely different “base” tiers, Orange and Blue. And if you happen to’re questioning, I selected which “prime” channels made the lower. Sorry, AXS TV, Discovery Life, GSN and Common HD. 

Loads of stay TV streaming decisions can be found to anybody who needs to chop the cable wire. Sling TV’s basic packages are $40 in most cities. However prices have elevated in every single place. YouTube TV is now $73 per 30 days. Fubo’s base bundle is $75, and DirecTV Stream elevated its plan subscriptions as effectively. These modifications are mirrored within the chart under the place relevant. Hulu’s stay TV service now prices $77 a month with advertisements and $90 with out advertisements, making it the costliest choice for a fundamental plan.

Some extra stuff to know concerning the chart: 

  • Sure = The channel is out there on the most cost effective pricing tier. That value is listed subsequent to the service’s identify.
  • No = The channel is not out there in any respect on that service. 
  • $ = The channel is out there for an additional charge, both a la carte or as a part of a dearer bundle or add-on.
  • Regional sports activities networks — native channels dedicated to displaying regular-season video games of explicit professional baseball, basketball and hockey groups — will not be listed. DirecTV Stream’s $100 tier has essentially the most RSNs by far, however a number of can be found on different providers. See our NBA and NHL streaming guides for particulars.
  • Native ABC, CBS, Fox, NBC, MyNetworkTV and The CW networks will not be out there in each metropolis. Since availability of those channels varies, you will need to examine the service’s web site to confirm carries your native community.
  • Native PBS stations are solely at present out there on YouTube TV and DirecTV Stream, and a few have been added to Hulu. Once more, you will need to examine native availability.
  • Sling Blue subscribers in Chicago, Los Angeles, New York Metropolis, Philadelphia and San Francisco should now pay $45 per 30 days, however have entry to native ABC, Fox and NBC channels. Prospects in Fresno, Houston and Raleigh now have each ABC and Fox on their Blue or Orange-and-Blue subscriptions at no further cost. This isn’t mirrored within the chart. Test Sling’s site to see which native channels can be found in your space.
  • Fubo subscribers might discover that the ACC Community and SEC Community are included with their bundle at no further value. Test availability on your state.
  • The chart columns are organized so as of value, so if you cannot see every little thing you need, attempt scrolling proper.
  • Overwhelmed? An easier-to-understand Google Spreadsheet is here.

Philo vs. Sling TV vs. Fubo vs. YouTube TV vs. DirecTV Stream vs. Hulu: High 100 channels in contrast

Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)
Complete channels: 42 24 35 79 56 62 74
ABC No No No Sure Sure Sure Sure
CBS No No No Sure Sure Sure Sure
Fox No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
NBC No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
PBS No No No Sure No Sure No
CW No No No Sure Sure Sure (restricted) Sure
MyNetworkTV No No No Sure No Sure Sure
Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)
A&E Sure Sure Sure No No Sure Sure
ACC Community No $ No Sure Sure $ Sure
Accuweather Sure No No No Sure Sure No
AMC Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure No
Grownup Swim No No No Sure No Sure Sure
Animal Planet Sure No No Sure Sure Sure Sure
BBC America Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure No
BBC World Information Sure $ $ Sure No $ No
BET Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Massive Ten Community No No $ Sure Sure $ Sure
Bloomberg TV No Sure Sure No Sure Sure Sure
Boomerang No $ $ No No Sure $
Bravo No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)
Cartoon Community No Sure Sure Sure No Sure Sure
CBS Sports activities Community No No No Sure Sure $ Sure
Cheddar Sure No No Sure Sure $ Sure
Cinemax No No No $ No $ $
CMT Sure $ $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
CNBC No No $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
CNN No Sure Sure Sure No Sure Sure
Comedy Central Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Cooking Channel Sure $ $ No $ $ $
Vacation spot America Sure $ $ No $ $ $
Discovery Channel Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Disney Channel No Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure
Disney Junior No $ No Sure Sure Sure Sure
Disney XD No $ No Sure Sure Sure Sure
E! No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
ESPN No Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure
ESPN 2 No Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure
ESPNEWS No $ No Sure $ $ Sure
ESPNU No $ No Sure $ $ Sure
Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)
Meals Community Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Fox Enterprise No No $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
Fox Information No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
FS1 No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
FS2 No No $ Sure Sure $ Sure
Freeform No Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure
FX No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
FX Films No No $ Sure $ $ Sure
FXX No No $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
FYI Sure $ $ No No $ Sure
Golf Channel No No $ Sure Sure $ Sure
Hallmark Sure $ $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
HBO/Max No No No $ No $ $
HGTV Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Historical past Sure Sure Sure No No Sure Sure
HLN No $ Sure Sure No Sure Sure
IFC Sure Sure Sure Sure No Sure No
Investigation Discovery Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Lifetime Sure Sure Sure No No Sure Sure
Lifetime Film Community Sure $ $ No No $ Sure
Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)
Magnolia Community Sure $ $ Sure Sure $ Sure
MGM+ (previously EPIX) $ $ $ $ No $ No
MLB Community No $ $ No $ $ No
Motor Development Sure Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure
MSNBC No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
MTV Sure $ $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
MTV2 Sure $ $ Sure $ Sure $
Nationwide Geographic No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Nat Geo Wild No No $ Sure $ $ Sure
NBA TV No $ $ Sure $ $ No
NFL Community No No Sure Sure Sure No Sure
NFL Crimson Zone No No $ $ $ No $
NHL Community No $ $ No $ $ No
Nickelodeon Sure No No Sure Sure Sure Sure
Nick Jr. Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure $ Sure
Nicktoons Sure $ $ Sure $ $ $
OWN Sure No No Sure Sure $ Sure
Oxygen No No $ Sure Sure $ Sure
Paramount Community Sure $ $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
Science Sure $ $ No $ $ $
Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)
SEC Community No $ No Sure $ $ Sure
Showtime No $ $ $ $ $ $
Smithsonian Sure No No Sure Sure $ Sure
Starz $ $ $ $ $ $ $
Sundance TV Sure $ $ Sure No Sure No
Syfy No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
Tastemade Sure $ $ Sure Sure $ No
TBS No Sure Sure Sure No Sure Sure
TCM No $ $ Sure No Sure Sure
TeenNick Sure $ $ Sure $ Sure $
Telemundo No No No Sure Sure $ Sure
Tennis Channel No $ $ No $ $ No
TLC Sure No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
TNT No Sure Sure Sure No Sure Sure
Journey Channel Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure $ Sure
TruTV No $ Sure Sure No Sure Sure
TV Land Sure $ $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
USA Community No No Sure Sure Sure Sure Sure
VH1 Sure $ $ Sure Sure Sure Sure
Vice Sure Sure Sure No No Sure Sure
WE television Sure $ $ Sure No Sure No
Channel Philo ($25) Sling Orange ($40) Sling Blue ($40) YouTube TV ($73) Fubo ($75) DirecTV Stream ($75) Hulu with Stay TV ($77)

Hulu movies and TV shows

James Martin/CNET

series of price hikes has introduced numerous extra channels to Hulu, together with PBS and entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus, at a $77 price ticket. Its channel choice is not as strong as YouTube TV and Fubo, but it is Hulu’s important catalog of on-demand content material which units it aside. Unique titles akin to The Handmaid’s Story, The Orville and Only Murders in the Building give it a content material benefit no different service can match. 

Stay TV subscribers additionally obtain limitless DVR that features fast-forwarding and on-demand playback — at no extra value. It is a transfer that has aligned Hulu with its opponents by way of options, however the channel lineup should still be a deciding issue. For instance, the platform just lately misplaced Sinclair-owned ABC affiliate channels. It is $4 greater than YouTube TV which has extra channels, however the entry to Disney Plus and ESPN Plus might make it a extra interesting selection for you. Read our Hulu Plus Live TV review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

With a superb channel choice, easy-to-use interface and best-in-class cloud DVR, the $73 per 30 days YouTube TV is likely one of the greatest cable TV replacements. It affords a $20 4K improve, however the draw back is there is not a lot to observe at current until you watch choose channels. Should you do not thoughts paying a bit greater than the Sling TVs of the world, or need to watch stay NBA video games, YouTube TV affords a excessive normal of stay TV streaming. Read our YouTube TV review.

031-sling-2020-blue-orange

Sarah Tew/CNET

If you wish to save somewhat cash, and do not thoughts lacking out on native channels, Sling TV is the perfect of the funds providers. Its Orange and Blue packages go for $40 per 30 days, and you may mix them for a month-to-month charge of $55. The Orange choice nets you one stream, whereas Blue provides you three. It isn’t as complete or as simple to navigate as YouTube however with a bit of labor, together with including an antenna or an AirTV 2 DVR, it is an unbeatable worth. Read our Sling TV review.

5-directv-now

Sarah Tew/CNET

DirecTV Stream is not the costliest, however its stiffest competitors remains to be Hulu Plus Stay TV and YouTube TV. The service does have its pluses, although — for instance, it consists of the flipper-friendly skill to swipe left and proper to vary channels. Moreover, it consists of some channels the opposite providers cannot, together with practically 250 PBS stations nationwide. The $75 Leisure bundle might fit your wants with its 75-plus channels. However for cord-cutters who need to observe their native NBA or MLB group, DirecTV Stream’s $100 Selection bundle is our stay TV streaming choose as a result of it has entry to extra regional sports activities networks than the competitors. Nonetheless, you will need to be sure your channel is included right here, and never out there on one in every of our most popular picks, earlier than you pony up. Read our DirecTV Stream review.

fubotv-1

Ty Pendlebury/CNET

There’s so much to love about Fubo — it affords a wide array of channels and its sports activities focus makes it particularly engaging to soccer followers or NBA, NHL and MLB followers who stay in an space served by one in every of Fubo’s RSNs. It is also an incredible selection for NFL followers because it’s one in every of three providers, alongside YouTube TV and Hulu, with NFL Community and optionally available RedZone. In 2023, Fubo will provide 19 Bally Sports activities RSNs with a brand new bundle that features the lineup. The most important gap in Fubo’s lineup is the dearth of Turner networks, together with CNN, TNT and TBS — particularly because the latter two carry numerous sports activities content material, particularly NBA, NHL and MLB. These lacking channels, and the identical $75 price ticket, makes it much less engaging than YouTube TV for many viewers. Read our Fubo review.

Sarah Tew/CNET

At $25 Philo remains to be an affordable stay TV streaming service with quite a lot of channels, however it lacks sports activities channels, native stations and big-name information networks — though Cheddar and BBC information can be found. Philo affords bread-and-butter cable staples like AMC, Comedy Channel, Nickelodeon and Magnolia Community, and focuses on way of life and actuality programming. It is also one of many most cost-effective stay providers that streams Paramount, dwelling of Yellowstone, and it features a cloud DVR and optionally available add-ons from Epix and Starz. We predict most individuals are higher off paying one other $15 for Sling TV’s superior service, but when Philo has each channel you need, it is a first rate deal. Read our Philo review.





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